Was talking to Prathap who had gone down to Shiva this weekend and there is some pretty grim news.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night, he and Putta, set out in the coracle to do some fishing but came across a net. Initially they thought it was a one off net and a small one at that. Unfortunately, it turned out to be many large nets and the two of them were at it until 1:30 a.m. and were totally knackered and cut by the time they got all the nets loaded onto the coracle.

Fish found in the nets include rohu, carp, murral, korva and loads of tilapia.

Putta is the only guard we have there at the moment and it's impossible for him to release the fish, load the nets and row all by himself. Time we got atleast two more full time guards for this stretch.

Circumstances permitting, will go to Shiva with Prathap this weekend.

Prathap and friends were fishing Forbes Sagar until 5:30 p.m. that evening, so the nets were placed sometime between then and elevenish.

We've been fearing that would happen one of these days. When Pratap and I had gone down a couple of months ago Putta told us he'd suspected that someone was netting the lake in the night. He'd heard from some villagers. I guess they keep an eye on when people fish and put their nets out at night and clear them before dawn.
I guess there's another coracle tucked away somewhere that they're using.

These guys just don’t leave anything. Yesterday I saw some guys netting in a small pond near my home, took some pics will post; I wonder what he was getting from there? . It’s just a very small pond, which is getting encroached upon.

This surely is bad news.
How legal is the WASI stand and guards etc?
What can you guys do?
vox populi says we need a source of income and this is a river period
No rules licencing etc.
Careful guys.
Best
Axx

I always suspected that this was happening at Forbes Sagar. There are just too many plantations and agricultural activities going on around the lake. Besides its just impossible to patrol that lake without a team of guards.
I just hope this isin't happening at the small lake.
One more thing, Pratap needs to fear for his life now that he has cut their nets. The poachers will be back with a vengence, with new nets, because the money involved is big, and will be on the look out for him.

It is. We just haven't caught the culprits or the evidence yet. Goes for the wildlife around as well - spotted deer, hogs, peacocks and partridge.

Quote:

One more thing, Pratap needs to fear for his life now that he has cut their nets. The poachers will be back with a vengence, with new nets, because the money involved is big, and will be on the look out for him.

Prathap can look after himself but numbers could change the odds. Guess this is as good a reason as any to take a firearm along from now on. It's a no win situation if things turn violent, though.

Serious stuff Rustam, trust WASI office has contacted the police. Not that it will do much good.
There are just too many poachers in that area and everything is nicely laid out for them.
This is the way it was at the WASI stretch of river in days gone by.
Atleast now with JLR around 12 months a year the poachers have become less aggressive. Only thing is now we are beginning to wonder if they are any better.

Prathap has brought back the nets as evidence. General and the other committee members have been informed and I am pretty sure the matter will be taken to the police...for whatever it is worth.

The problem is getting local guards for that stretch as none are coming forward to take the job and outside guards are being threatened.

Quote:

Atleast now with JLR around 12 months a year the poachers have become less aggressive. Only thing is now we are beginning to wonder if they are any better.

What's there to wonder? I have been to Galibori just twice and on the second occassion itself one of the JLR guards was caught poaching by the WASI guards and brought before Sunder. There was the usual tamasha we Indians are famous for but beyond that nothing.

Hi Rusty,
About that race, i am going to be camping at Hiara from the 6th to the 11th of December with a couple of days at Doddamakli and the lakes before that, and a couple of days at Galibori camp with the family after the 11th. Feel free to chose your date to get your butt whooped And guys WASI can do with the donations. We will ensure it is well spent on combating poaching activities at the lakes.
Regards
Owen

Rusty i will have you know that i am a respectable angler and the only thing bent is my fishing rod. Now if you have some comments to make about that, i suggest that we speak about it at the river.
I choose to remain silent till i get confirmation from you on the dates offered. Do i hear the sound of silence

Hi Rusty!
From my experience the water is invaribly pretty high at the Galibori stretch in November and fishing can be slow. But that seems to be a good time for fishing in Bheemeshwari.
The second week of December onwards is usually more productive, but so much depends on the mood of the guys behind the sluice gates at KR Sagar and the pressure from TN. So anything can happen.

So far this year we do not seem to have had the kind of rainfall we had last year, which is a good thing for the fishing, and should influence the mood of boy's at the sluice gates. So keep fingers and toes crossed and hope that it remains this way.
I think one of the reasons why the season was so poor this year, is because of the constant release of water from the dam at crazy intervals through out the season, and of course the other factors that we have discussed before.
Regards
Old fossil

I will be fishing with Owen on those 10 days.. First trip down south for fishing and that too for Mahseer...

I request you to get your, you know what, for the trip too..

Old Man Bosen and myself may not make this trip again, so.......

Will try Gavin. Infact Prathap is already cooking up a 10 day trip but it's very difficult with the kids being in school and my wife having to travel a lot. I am extremely keen on seeing all these places I hear and read about but I cannot commit beyond a "I'll have to play it by ear".

By the looks of it .. and the number of trips lined up .. maybe i need to do a change of esidence to bangalore .. not to mention the chance to see Roger bannister and owen go for it ..............oh to be in bangalore .. my moneys on bannister .....Owen when r you on your way to Mumbai ... try to make it a weekend thurs 2 sunday and we can try to make you a salty

Hi Fred,
Rusty is being modest, the man has been seen jogging every morning since this came up. Back to the fishing,
You are very welcome to join in the trip starting 1st ending 11 th Dec.
Pat could be in on this one too, so is my brother Robby and Pat's school buddy Tinko has already started polishing his reels since we met yesterday. Gavin from Kolkata is a dead ringer for this trip.
I am likely to be in Mumbai soon, dates not fixed though. Will keep you posted.
Regards
Owen

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